The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Here at Cairo 360, we’ve been busy all day preparing for our annual Editors’ Choice Awards; however, we’re taking some time off to catch our breaths and see what Egypt’s capital is blessing us with this weekend.

But let us start with bad news; unfortunately, Thursday is going to be a dry night as today is the middle of Sha’aban; you need not to worry about it, just consider it a quick rehearsal before Ramadan!

On the bright side, there are many other things that still can be done; contemplate over a number of paintings at either Zamalek Art Gallery, where a retrospective exhibition is held in celebration of the 100th birthday of one of Egypt’s great artists, Gamal El Sagini, or Mohandiseen’s Mashrabia Gallery, which hosts In the Presence of an Animal, presenting the artworks of artist, Adel El Siwi.

Lovers of music can still enjoy the night, too; Cairo Opera House welcomes the piano duo, Amani Mounir and Louba Hammad, who take to the stage of the Small Hall for a round of classical pieces by famous composers. Also, ROOM Art Space in Garden City welcomes all the talented folks out there to take to its stage and show off their gift in their Open-Mic Night; be it singing, playing an instrument or even stand-up comedy.

Dopamina is set to bring her unique fusion of electronic and folklore musics at CJC on Friday (Photo: Dopamina)

Back to normal, Friday at Cairo Opera House sees an afternoon of spiritual music in the Main Hall Lobby, where Cairo Celebration Choir, conducted by Maestro Nayer Nagui, perform Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle. Likewise, Al Rab3, in Muez Street, hosts a Sufi night, with local band, A’alam El Mustafa, taking to the stage.

Elsewhere, local favourites, Basata, return to El Sawy Culturewheel’s for a number of, Do’souka takes to the stage of ROOM Art Space and Hania Fansa is performing a variety of alternative rock and grunge songs at Heliopolis’ Bab 18.

If you’re looking for a party, then look no further than the Imperial Boat in Zamalek, where Spanish event organiser, Olum, hosts its firs party in Cairo, with the likes of Aly Goede, Hashem and Khelio providing the music.

Later in the evening, Cairo Jazz Club hosts another edition of Fever Friday, welcoming local DJs, Aly Goede (yep, him again) and Shiha, before German DJ, Dopamina, brings her unique blend of electronic music and world folklore. Elsewhere, Zidzag presents the season finale of Anthems, where DJs Jimmy, Sebzz and Abou Samra, take to the stage while Wunder Kind welcomes belly dancing diva, Alla Kushnir, on a night that also sees DJ Amr Hosny’s take to the stage.

Meanwhile, The Tap Maadi hosts local band, The Cadillacs, while its sister venue, The Tap East, is pouring electronic vibes, with DJs Minus T, kidmims; and Akladios taking to decks.

Elsewhere, Riverside hosts DJ Tamer Hegazy, Underground presents Basheer for a Nubian-inspired night and Gu Bar welcomes DJ Hany Ashry, who will provide the music as belly dancer, Badra, shakes it off- so to speak.

Cairo Jazz Club closes the weekend with Hawas (Photo: Hawas/Facebook)

You can kick-start your Saturday, meanwhile, with a late brunch at The Tap East, where you can get to have all-you-can-eat burgers and sausages, as well as unlimited local alcohol for only 280LE at Let’s Get Stuff’d. Later on, the bar and restaurant welcomes DJ Omar Harb, who takes to decks for a round of hip-hop sets.  Also, Darb 1718 hosts the second volume of the dancing competition, Battle of the Elements, where four groups representing the different elements of the world, earth, fire, water and air, challenge one another.

Diving deeper into the night, Cairo Jazz Club’s Saturday L’Oriental sees local band, Hawas, take to stage for a night of world music and Gu Bar welcomes sha’by singer, Mahmoud El Leithy, and belly dancer, Sahar, in this weekend’s edition of Heshek Beshsek.

Last but not least,  Disco Masr are back at Riverside with their unique retro Arabic mixes and Mohandiseen’s Underground welcomes The Gypsy Jazz Project, who take to the stage for a round of songs that merges between various international sounds.

That’s just the tip of the ice berg; find more on Cairo 360 events calendar.